Multi-purpose trailer with universal mounting hitch

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose trailer (24) with a universal mounting hitch (26) for use with a garden tractor (22). The multi-purpose trailer (24) includes two U-shaped front ends (36) having horizontally aligned apertures (40) therein to enable two point pivotal attachment to the garden tractor (22). The trailer (24) is supported above the surface of the ground by a single, pivotal wheel (46) and further includes a trailer box (30) which is pivotal about a substantially horizontal axis proximate the back end of the trailer. The universal mounting hitch (26) includes a U-shaped bracket (151) including two spaced apart vertically extending legs (152) including a plurality of apertures (164) therein. The vertically extending legs (152) are interconnected by a horizontally extending member (154) including a plurality of apertures (158). The apertures (158) enable attachment of the U-shaped bracket (151) to the draw bar of the garden tractor (22). The apertures (164) enables attachment of the U-shaped ends (36) of the trailer (24) to the U-shaped bracket (151).

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 648,763, filed Sept. 7,1984, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose trailer with universalmounting hitch for use with lawn and garden tractors and the like. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose trailerwhich can be readily converted to a bagger for receipt of grassclippings from the grass chute of a garden tractor and whose universalmounting hitch enables other trailers or utility carts to be hitched tothe garden tractor.

Grass baggers which are pulled behind garden tractors are becomingincreasingly popular. The grass baggers are pulled behind the gardentractor on a support frame typically supported above the surface of theground by a plurality of wheels. A grass chute extending from the mowerhousing is interconnected to the bagger so as to provide a path for theflow of the grass clippings from the mower to the grass bagger. Withsome garden tractors, an auxiliary engine driven blower or the like isrequired in order to provide sufficient force to force the grassclippings into the bagger. However, in other garden tractors utilizinghigh lift blades, sufficient force is provided such that an auxiliaryengine driven blower is not required.

Currently available baggers are rather expensive and are typicallycapable of only being used for bagging purposes. In addition, manybaggers require a rather complicated mounting hitch arrangement toenable attachment to the garden tractor. Furthermore, many of thebaggers commercially available are difficult to unload. Many must beemptied quite frequently, as they are not of sufficient size.

The present invention solves these and many other problems associatedwith currently available baggers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose trailer and universalmounting hitch for attachment to a garden tractor, the multi-purposetrailer being adaptable for receipt of grass clippings from a grasschute of the garden tractor. The present invention includes a trailerhaving a back end facing away from the garden tractor and a front endfacing the garden tractor. The trailer includes an H-shaped supportframework, including two longitudinally extending, spaced apartelongated members and a transversely extending elongated memberinterconnecting the longitudinally extending members. The longitudinallyextending members each have U-shaped front ends with each of the endshaving a pair of horizontally aligned apertures therein. The H-shapedsupport framework is supported above the surface of the ground by atmost a single wheel. The wheel is pivotally interconnected to theH-shaped support framework for pivotal motion about a generally verticalaxis, the wheel being located closer to the back end of the H-shapedsupport framework than the front end. The trailer further includes atrailer box including a floor, two vertically extending sides, avertically extending front side, and a slanted backside, the sides ofthe trailer box having a top and bottom. The sides of the trailer boxinclude an outwardly extending flange along the top thereof. The trailerbox is pivotally interconnected to the H-shaped frame by a substantiallyU-shaped bracket for pivotal motion about a horizontal axis disposedproximate the back end of the H-shaped frame. The U-shaped bracket isfixedly secured to the floor of the trailer box and pivotallyinterconnected to the longitudinally extending members of the H-shapedframe. The trailer further includes a support framework rising above thetrailer box, including vertically extending support members fixedlysecured to the sides of the trailer box and horizontally extendingmembers secured to the vertically extending support members. Latchingmeans is provided for releasably latching the trailer box to theH-shaped support framework. A flexible, perforated fabric cover adaptedto removably fit over the support framework rising above the trailer boxand enclosing the trailer box is provided. The fabric cover includeselongated tension means extending along a bottom edge of the fabriccover proximate the back end of the trailer box for placing the bottomedge of the fabric cover in tension, the bottom edge of the fabric covercooperating with the outwardly projecting flange to removably retain thefabric cover on the trailer. The fabric cover includes a flap portionproximate the back end of the trailer adapted to be folded over thefront of the fabric cover to expose the back end of the enclosed trailerbox. The fabric cover includes an access port for interconnection of thegrass chute of the garden tractor. The universal mounting hitchcomprises a U-shaped bracket including two spaced apart verticallyextending legs interconnected by a horizontal support member. A bracemember extends between the vertically extending legs of the U-shapedbracket. The horizontal member includes a plurality of apertures atdiffering longitudinal locations enabling attachment to a drawbar of thegarden tractor by a pin-like member. The vertical legs include aplurality of apertures at differing vertical positions, each of whichare adapted to cooperate with the apertures in each of the U-shapedfront ends of the longitudinally extending elongated members of theH-shaped frame to receive a pin-like member. The pin-like membersprovide for pivotal movement of the longitudinally extending elongatedmembers about a substantially horizontal axis.

The present invention is particularly advantageous in that it is easy touse. The universal hitch and clevice-like ends of the trailer enableeasy attachment and removal of the multi-purpose trailer from the gardentractor. Further, the multi-purpose trailer is readily converted from agrass bagger to a general utility trailer by removal of the fabriccover. The multi-purpose trailer, when used as a grass bagger, furtherprovides for quick and complete dumping of the clippings containedtherein. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, themulti-purpose trailer box is capable of pivoting the front end upwardsubstantially 90° so as to enable removal of the grass clippings fromthe back end. Further, in yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, a single latch handle is used to releasably secure thetrailer box to the H-shaped support frame.

Yet another particular advantage of the present invention is itsincreased volume for grass clippings.

Yet another particular advantage of the present invention is itsinexpensive nature. The present invention can be used in a host ofapplications. The multi-purpose trailer being capable of being used as agrass bagger or a general utility cart. Further, the universal mountinghitch of the present invention enables the multi-purpose trailer to beremoved and another device to be hitched to the garden tractor.

Still another advantageous feature of the present invention is theprovision for distribution of weight between the multi-purpose trailerand the garden tractor. This enables the single supporting wheel toswivel easier and results in less damage to the lawn because there isless weight placed on the wheel.

Yet another advantageous feature is the universal nature of the hitch,which enables the hitch to be used with many different garden tractorsand trailers. In one embodiment of the present invention, the universalhitch provides a draw bar hole for attachment of other devices.

Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision for aspaced apart, two point attachment of the multi-purpose trailer to theuniversal hitch. The two point attachment provides for vertical pivotalmovement of the multi-purpose trailer being pulled over uneven groundand yet prevents the trailer from jackknifing when backing up.

The single wheel configuration of the present invention provides for ahighly maneuverable trailer with the wheel being pivotal about avertical axis.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is the use of aperforated porous cover material which provides for venting of airthereby doing away with the requirement for any additional vents in thecover.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a betterunderstanding of the invention, its advantages, and objectives attainedby its use, reference should be had to the drawings which form a furtherpart hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which thereis illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, reference numerals and letters indicate correspondingparts throughout several views.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of a multi-purposetrailer with universal mounting hitch in accordance with the principlesof the present invention interconnected to the draw bar of a gardentractor;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the trailer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view generally along line 3--3 in FIG. 2 with thetrailer shown by phantom line in a dumped configuration and with a flapportion of the fabric cover pulled forward;

FIG. 4 is a partial view in perspective of an embodiment of a universalmounting hitch in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a partial diagramatic view of the underside of the trailershown in FIG. 1 illustrating an embodiment of a latch handle used toreleasably secure the trailer to its support framework;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the trailer shown inFIG. 1;

FIGS. 7A through 7F are enlarged exploded perspective views of variousembodiments of universal mounting hitches in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2 of an alternate embodimentof the multi-purpose trailer of the present invention wherein themulti-purpose trailer provides for a front end entrance for the grasschute as opposed to a side entrance as shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a preferredembodiment of the present invention, generally designated by thereference numeral 20 interconnected to a garden tractor 22. As furtherillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the multi-purpose trailer anduniversal mounting hitch arrangement 20 includes a multi-purpose trailer24, an embodiment of which is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, and auniversal mounting hitch 26, an embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 4.It will be appreciated, that the multi-purpose trailer 24 and theuniversal mounting hitch 26 each have a particular utility and might beused separate from the other.

More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the multi-purpose trailer24 includes an H-shaped support framework 28 for supporting a trailerbox. The H-shaped support framework 28 includes two longitudinallyextending, spaced apart elongated rectangular members 32 interconnectedby a transversely extending elongated rectangular member 34. Thelongitudinally extending elongated members 32 includes clevice-likefront and back ends 36 and 38, respectively, having a U-shapedconfiguration with a pair of horizontally aligned apertures 40 and 42,respectively. The apertures 40 are adapted to removably receive aclevice pin 42 which in turn is adapted to removably receive a cotterpin 44. A wheel 46 is interconnected to a transversely extendingrectangular member 48 proximate the back end of the H-shaped supportframe 28 by a swivel assembly 47 for 360° pivotal motion about an axis.The swivel assembly 47 shown is a commercially available forked swivelwheel assembly with encased bearings. The swivel assembly 47 is largelyspindleless so as to reduce the overall height of the trailer. The axisabout which the wheel 46 rotates is slightly offset from the vertical asis common with many such swivel assemblies. The weight distribution ofthe trailer is such that the wheel 46 will readily swivel when thetrailer is backed up. The swivel assembly 47 includes a rectangularplate member 49 which is secured to the rectangular member 48 bysuitable fasteners 50.

The trailer box includes a floor 60, two vertically extending sides 62,a vertically extending front side 64, and a slanted back side 66 obliquewith respect to the floor 60. The sides 62, 64 and 66 of the trailer box30 include an outwardly extending horizontal flange 68 along the topedge thereof providing additional structural integrity. The trailer box30 is pivotally interconnected to the ends 38 of the H-shaped frame 28by a substantially U-shaped bracket 70 for pivotal motion about ahorizontal axis disposed proximate the back end of the H-shaped frame 28in back of the wheel 46. The U-shaped bracket 70 is fixedly secured tothe floor 60 by suitable fasteners 72 and is pivotally connected to theends 38 along a horizontal portion 70a by suitable fasteners 74extending through the aligned apertures 42 in the ends 38 and apertures76 in vertically extending leg portions 70b of the U-shaped bracket 70.

The trailer box 30 has attached thereto a support framework 80 risingabove the trailer box 30. The support framework 80 includes elongated,vertically extending support members 82 fixedly secured to the sides ofthe trailer box 30 by suitable fasteners 84. Horizontally extendingelongated rectangular members 84, typically made of wood, are secured tothe elongated support members 82 by suitable fasteners 88 along thesides 62 and front side 64. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the elongatedsupport members 82 might include plastic end caps 90 insertable over theend of the members 82. Suitably attached to the support framework 80along the right side 62a of the trailer box 30 is a rectangular frame 92adapted for receipt of a grass chute 94 from the garden tractor 22. Inthe embodiment illustrated, one of the horizontally extending members86a has been cut away so as to not interfere with the opening into thetrailer box provided by the rectangular frame 92, the rectangular framebeing suitably secured by fasteners 96. L-shaped metal brackets 98 mightbe utilized at the intersection of the horizontally extending members 86to provide additional structural integrity to the support framework 80.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, pivotally interconnected on the outsideof the front side 64 of the trailer box 30 for pivotal motion about alongitudinally extending axis as generally illustrated by arrows 100 isa vertically extending elongated latch handle 102. The latch handle 102is pivotally secured by a suitable fastener 104 to the front side 64.The latch handle 102 includes a transversely projecting member 106adapted to releasably engage the underside of one of the longitudinallyextending elongated members 32 of the H-shaped support frame 28 when thelatch handle is pivoted clockwise. When the latch handle 102 is pivotedcounter-clockwise the transversely extending member 106 releases thelongitudinally extending elongated member 32 such that the trailer box30 can be pivoted proximate its back end to enable dumping of thetrailer contents. To dump the trailer contents, the operator simplypivots the latch handle 102 counter clockwise and then pushes upward onthe front end of the trailer box 30. The trailer box 30 will pivot abouta substantially horizontal axis extending through the aligned apertures42 in the ends 38. As illustrated in FIG. 3 by the phantom line 110, thetrailer box 30 is capable of pivoting more than 90° so as to facilitatedumping of the contents.

A flexible, perforated fabric cover 120 is configured and adapted forreleaseable insertion over the support framework 80 so as to enclose thetrailer box 30. The fabric cover 120 and the trailer box 30 cooperate toprovide an enclosed receptacle for grass clippings. The perforatedfabric cover 120 allows for the release of air, which is needed tomaintain the flow of grass through the grass chute into the enclosedtractor box. The fabric cover 120 is sewn to include seam lines 122 suchthat the fabric cover 120 includes front and back ends and sidescorresponding generally to that of the support framework 80. The fabriccover 120 shown in FIG. 3 has pockets 121 sewn in its side portionsproximate the back end of the trailer for receipt of the ends of thehorizontally extending members 86. Extending along a bottom edge of thefabric cover is a hem portion 124 including an elastic member 126.Positioned along a bottom edge of the fabric cover 120 proximate theback end of the trailer box 30 is an elastic cord member 128 releasablyinterconnected to eyelets 130 in the bottom edge of the fabric cover 120for retaining the fabric cover 120 on the trailer box 30. The elasticcord member 128 places the elastic member 26 along the bottom edge ofthe cover in increased tension, the elastic member 26 in turncooperating with the flange 68 to releasably retain the fabric cover 120which is readily removed by releasing the elastic cord member 128 fromthe eyelets 130. In order to reduce wear of the fabric cover 120, theflange 68 might be rounded in the corners. The fabric cover 120 includesa separate flap portion 132 sewn to the remainder of the fabric cover120 along a transversely extending seam 134 such that the flap portion132 can be folded over a front portion of the fabric cover, as shown byphantom line 132 in FIG. 3, when dumping the trailer contents.Accordingly, before dumping the trailer, the user will bring the flapportion 132 forward over the front end of the fabric cover 120 so as toprovide 35 an outlet for the grass clippings at the back end of thetrailer. The flap portion 132 includes a hem portion 131 and an elasticmember 133 along a bottom edge similar to that of the cover 120 tofacilitate retaining the flap portion 132 on the framework 80 when inthe covered position and when pulled forward. Accordingly, no additionalfasteners are required to retain the flap portion 132 in either theclosed or open position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fabric cover 120 will preferablyinclude a dust shield 136 on the side of the fabric cover opposite theside to which the grass chute 94 is attached. The dust shield 136 ispreferably located partially along the side wall proximate the back endof the trailer. Additionally, a dust shield 138 is preferably locatedalong the front end of the fabric cover to prevent exhausting of dusttoward the rider on the tractor. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, thefabric cover 120 includes a fabric boot 140 sewn onto the fabric cover120 including an elastic-like band 142 about the circumference thereofso as to enable a substantially tight fit about the grass chute 94. Theflow of the grass clippings into the enclosed trailer box is illustratedgenerally by the arrows 144.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, in an embodiment of the present invention thegrass chute 94 may enter the front end of the fabric cover 120particularly when the trailer 24 is farther removed from the gardentractor 22.

Illustrated in FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the universal mounting hitch26 attached to the draw bar (not shown) of the garden tractor andinterconnected to the multi-purpose trailer 24. The universal mountinghitch 26 includes a generally U-shaped bracket 151 including two spacedapart vertically extending legs 152 interconnected by a horizontallyextending support member 154. In the embodiment shown, a horizontallyextending, vertically upright elongated brace member 156 extends betweenthe vertically extending legs 152. The horizontal support member 154includes a plurality of aligned apertures 158 positioned at varyingdistances from a back plate 160 of the tractor. In the embodiment shown,the aperture 158 closest to the back plate 160 receives a suitablefastener 162 for attachment of the universal hitch to the draw bar ofthe garden tractor 22. The U-shaped bracket 151 serves as an extensionof the draw bar as the outer most aperture 158 serves as an aperture forinterconnecting other utility carts or the like to the universal hitchwhen the multi-purpose trailer 24 of the present invention is removedtherefrom. The vertically extending legs 152 include a plurality ofvertically aligned apertures 164 at varying vertical heights, thecorresponding apertures in each of the respective legs 152 being alignedwith one another. The legs 152 are adapted to receive the clevice-likeends 36 of the H-shaped to support frame 28. Accordingly, to attach themulti-purpose trailer 24 to the universal hitch 26, the apertures 40 ofthe ends 36 are aligned with selected ones of the apertures 164 in thelegs 152 and the cotter pin 42 inserted therethrough. This provides fora vertically pivotal connection of the multi-purpose trailer 24 to theuniversal hitch 26 and substantially prevents horizontal pivotalmovement about a vertical axis at the ends 36. Furthermore, support isprovided for each of the ends 36 thereby providing the multi-purposetrailer 24 with increased handling characteristics. The multi-purposetrailer 24, due to this two point hitch connection, will not jackknifeand will also pivot up and down over uneven ground. The brace member 156in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 includes fastener members 166 forfastening the U-shaped bracket 151 to the back plate 160 of the gardentractor 150 to keep the U-shaped bracket rigid and prevent pivotingabout the fastener 162.

Illustrated in FIGS. 7a through 7f are alternate embodiments of theuniversal hitch of the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG.7b is similar to that shown in FIG. 4. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7ais similar to that shown in FIG. 4, with the exception that the members166 are used as spacer members to butt against the back plate 160 of thegarden tractor 150 to prevent pivoting of the U-shaped bracket 151 aboutthe fastener 162. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7c includes twohorizontally extending brackets 170 which are interconnected to the legs152 of the U-shaped bracket by suitable fasteners 172 and to sides 174of the garden tractor by suitable fasteners 176. The embodiment shown inFIG. 7d includes a similar U-shaped bracket inverted such that the legs152 extend generally downwardly. The brackets 170 are similarly used toattach the U-shaped brackets 151 to the sides of the tractor.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 7e and 7f are particularly suited for usewith John Deere rear engine riders and front engine tractors. Theuniversal hitch shown in FIGS. 7e and 7f includes a generally U-shapedbracket 180 including two spaced apart vertically extending legs 182interconnected by a horizontal support member 184. The legs of theU-shaped bracket 180 have a generally triangular configuration andinclude a plurality of apertures 185 in a triangular configurationproximate a top end portion thereof. The legs 182 are furtherinterconnected by a slanted brace member 186 oblique with respect to thesupport member 184. The brace member 186 provides structural support forthe U-shaped bracket and extends outwardly away from the back plate 160of the garden tractor 22 so as to not interfere with a steel pocket 188found on the back plate 160 of a John Deere tractor. A fastener 190 isinserted through an aperture 192 in a tow bar 193 of the tractor andthrough one of a plurality of apertures 194 closest to the back plate160 of the tractor. L-shaped brackets 196 are interconnected to theoutside of the legs 182 by fasteners 198. The L-shaped brackets 196 arein turn fastened to the back plate 160 of the tractor by fasteners 200.Corresponding apertures 185 in the legs 182 are used for attachment ofthe ends 36 of the H-shaped support frame 28. In FIG. 7f, the bracemember 186 includes an aperture 202 to enable the brace member 186 to befastened to the steel pocket 188 by a fastener 204. One of the legs 182is securedly fastened to the back plate 160 of the tractor by theL-shaped bracket 196.

It will be appreciated that in use, the fabric cover can be readilyremoved from the trailer to enable use of the trailer as a generalutility trailer or fitted over the trailer to enable use of the traileras a bagger for grass clippings. The grass chute 94 is interconnected tothe flexible boot portion of the fabric cover prior to initiatingmowing. Frequently, as shown in FIG. 1, the grass chute 94 will includea portion 94a which is pivotally attached at 95 to the main portion ofthe chute to facilitate interconnection to a bagger or the like. Theends 36 of the H-shaped support frame 28 are interconnected to theuniversal hitch 26 such that the multi-purpose trailer is pulled behindthe garden tractor during the mowing process. When it comes time toempty the multi-purpose trailer, the grass chute 94 is disconnected fromthe fabric cover 122. The flap portion 132 is pulled forward of thefabric cover 122 as generally illustrated in FIG. 3. The latch handle102 is pivoted so as to release the trailer box 30 from the H-shapedframe 28 and the trailer box 30 is pivoted upward as generallyillustrated in FIG. 3. Prior to dumping the trailer, the trailer mightbe backed up slightly such that the wheel is pivoted approximately 90°to asure that it does not interfere with the dumping process.

It will be appreciated that although the embodiment of the inventionillustrated is shown in use with a lawn tractor having high lift bladeswhich generate sufficient force to force the clippings into the enclosedtrailer box, the present invention might also be used with those lawnand garden tractors having conventional blades and utilizing anauxiliary engine driven blower to provide sufficient force to force theclippings into the bagger. Further, it will be appreciated that thegrass chute 94 might have any number of configurations. For example,although not shown, most grass chutes are removable from the mowerhousing.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth inthe foregoing description, together with details of the structure andfunction of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, andchanges may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size andarrangement of parts within the principles of the invention, to the fullextent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which theappended claims are expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-purpose trailer and universal mountinghitch arrangement for attachment to a garden tractor, the multi-purposetrailer being adaptable for receipt of grass clippings from a grasschute of the garden tractor, the multi-purpose trailer and universalmounting hitch arrangement comprising:(a) a trailer having a front endfacing the garden tractor and a back end facing away from the gardentractor, comprising:(i) an H-shaped support framework including twolongitudinally extending, spaced apart elongated members and atransversely extending elongated member interconnecting saidlongitudinally extending elongated members, the two longitudinallyextending members having U-shaped front ends, each of the front endshaving a pair of longitudinally aligned apertures; (ii) at most, asingle wheel supporting said H-shaped support framework above thesurface of the ground, said wheel being pivotally interconnected to theH-shaped support framework for pivotal motion, said wheel being locatedcloser to the back end of the H-shaped support framework than to thefront end; (iii) a trailer box including a floor, two verticallyextending sides, a vertically extending front side, and a slanted backside oblique with respect to the floor, the sides of the trailer boxhaving a top and bottom edge including an outwardly extending flangealong the top edge thereof, the trailer box being pivotallyinterconnected to the H-shaped support frame by a substantially U-shapedbracket for pivotal motion about a horizontal axis disposed proximatethe back end of the H-shaped frame, the U-shaped bracket being fixedlysecured to the floor of the trailer box and pivotally connected to theH-shaped frame; (iv) latching means for releasably latching the trailerbox to the H-shaped support framework; (v) a support framework risingabove the trailer box including vertically extending support membersfixedly secured to the sides of the trailer box and horizontallyextending members secured to the vertically extending support members;and (vi) a flexible, perforated fabric cover adapted to removably fitover the support framework rising above the trailer box and enclose thetrailer box, elongated retention means extending along a bottom edge ofthe fabric cover for placing the bottom edge of the fabric cover intension, the bottom edge of the fabric cover cooperating with theoutwardly projecting flange to removably retain the fabric cover on thetrailer, the fabric cover including a flap portion proximate the backend of the trailer adapted to be pulled over the front of the fabriccover to expose the back end of the enclosed trailer box, the fabriccover including an access port for interconnection of the grass chute ofthe garden tractor; and (b) a universal mounting hitch comprising aU-shaped bracket including two spaced apart vertically extending legsinterconnected by a horizontal support member, an elongated brace memberextending between said vertically extending legs of the U-shaped bracketand interconnected to the legs, the horizontal member including aplurality of apertures at differing longitudinal locations to enableattachment to a draw bar of the garden tractor by a pin-like member, thevertical legs including a plurality of apertures at varying verticallocations each of which are adapted to cooperate with the apertures ineach of the U-shaped front ends of the longitudinally extendingelongated members of the H-shaped frame to receive a pin-like member,the pin-like members providing for pivotal movement of thelongitudinally extending elongated members about a substantiallyhorizontal axis.
 2. A multi-purpose trailer and universal hitch inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the latching means includes avertically extending, elongated latch handle pivotally attached to thefront side of the trailer box for pivotal movement about a horizontalaxis, the latch handle including proximate a bottom end thereof ahorizontally extending member adapted for pivotal movement between firstand second positions, the horizontally extending member being positionedunder one of the longitudinally extending elongated members when in thefirst position so as to latch the trailer box to the H-shaped frame andpositioned away from the longitudinally extending elongated member inthe second position so as to enable the trailer box to be pivotedrelative to the H-shaped frame.
 3. A multi-purpose trailer and universalhitch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support framework risingabove the trailer box includes a rectangular support frame adapted forreceipt of the grass chute from the garden tractor.
 4. A multi-purposetrailer and universal hitch in accordance with claim 1, wherein a dustshield is positioned in the side of the fabric cover opposite the sideincluding the access port of the fabric cover.
 5. A multi-purposetrailer and universal hitch in accordance wth claim 1, wherein saidretention means includes a horizontally extending elongated elasticmember releasably attached proximate at least one of its ends to thebottom edge of the fabric cover.
 6. A multi-purpose trailer anduniversal hitch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flap portion ofthe fabric cover includes pockets adapted to receive ends ofhorizontally extending members of the support framework rising above thetrailer box.
 7. A multi-purpose trailer for removable attachment to agarden tractor, comprising:(a) a support framework having a front endfacing the garden tractor and a back end facing away from the gardentractor and including two longitudinally, spaced apart elongated membersinterconnected by a transversely extending member, the longitudinallyextending members having U-shaped front ends, each of the front endshavings a pair of longitudinally aligned apertures adapted for pivotalreceipt of a pin-like member so as to enable two point pivotalattachment to the garden tractor; (b) at most, a single wheel supportingsaid support framework above the surface of the ground, said wheel beingpivotally interconnected to the support framework for pivotal motion,the wheel being located closer to the back end of the support frameworkthan to the front end of the support framework; (c) a trailer boxincluding a floor, two side walls and a front and back wall, the trailerbox being pivotally interconnected to the support framework for pivotalmotion about a substantially horizontal axis disposed proximate the backend of the support framework; (d) latching means for releasably latchingthe trailer box to the support framework proximate the front end of thesupport framework; (e) a support framework rising above the trailer box;(f) a flexible, perforated fabric cover adapted to removably fit overthe support framework rising above the trailer box, the cover enclosingthe trailer box, the cover further including an opening thereinproviding a passageway into the enclosed trailer box from a grass chuteof the garden tractor; and (g) retention means cooperating with thetrailer box and the cover for removably retaining the cover over thesupport framework.
 8. A multi-purpose trailer for removable attachmentto a towing vehicle such as a garden tractor, comprising:(a) a supportframework having a front end facing the towing vehicle when attachedthereto and an oppositely facing back end; (b) at least oneswivel-mounted, ground engaging wheel for supporting the supportframework above a surface of the ground; (c) rigid hitch means forinterconnecting the trailer to the towing vehicle, the rigid hitch meansincluding means preventing relative pivotal movement between the towingvehicle and the trailer about a generally vertical axis, the rigid hitchmeans further including means enabling relative pivotal movement betweenthe towing vehicle and the trailer about a generally horizontal axis,whereby the trailer can pivot vertically relative to the towing vehiclein uneven terrain; (d) a trailer box supported by the support framework,the trailer box and support framework including cooperating mountingmeans for pivotally interconnecting the trailer box proximate a back endthereof to proximate the back end of the support framework for pivotalmovement about a generally horizontal axis between a generallyhorizontal position and a generally upright position whereby a floorportion of the trailer box can be oriented relative to the surface ofthe ground so as to enable easy removal of material such as grassclippings; and (e) a flexible, removable cover means having a surfacearea substantially all of which is perforated, interconnected to thetrailer box for defining an enclosed area above the trailer box, thecover means enabling air flow from the enclosed area above the trailerbox through the cover means and into ambient air surrounding theenclosed area, wherein retention means proximate a bottom edge of thecover means cooperates with a top edge of the trailer box for retainingthe bottom edge of the cover means in engagement with the top edge ofthe trailer box, the cover means further including an inlet meanswhereby material such as grass clippings can be received in the enclosedarea above the trailer box from a source of such material, the covermeans further including configuration means for positioning the covermeans in a closed configuration and an open configuration, in the openconfiguration the cover means is partially removed from a back endportion of the enclosed area above the trailer box, whereby materialsuch as grass clippings can be readily removed from the enclosed areaabove the trailer box when the trailer box is pivoted into an uprightposition.
 9. A multi-purpose trailer in accordance with claim 8, whereinthe trailer box is pivotally interconnected to the support framework ata location in back of an axle of the swivel-mounted wheel.
 10. Amulti-purpose trailer in accordance with claim 8, further includinglatch means proximate a front end of the trailer box for releasablylatching the trailer box to the support framework, whereby uponunlatching the trailer box, the trailer box can be pivoted to an uprightposition.
 11. A multi-purpose trailer in accordance with claim 8,wherein the hitch means includes means providing a two point attachmentto the towing vehicle.
 12. A multi-purpose trailer in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the hitch means includes two horizontally spaced apartelongated members each including a H-shaped bracket proximate forinterconnection to the towing vehicle, each of the U-shaped bracketsincluding horizontally aligned apertures adapted to receive an elongatedpin member.
 13. A multi-purpose trailer in accordance with claim 8,wherein said retention means comprises an elastic member.
 14. Amulti-purpose trailer for removable attachment to a towing vehicle suchas a garden tractor, comprising:(a) a support framework having a frontend facing the towing vehicle when attached thereto and an oppositelyfacing back end; (b) at least one swivel-mounted, ground engaging wheelfor supporting the support framework above a surface of the ground; (c)rigid hitch means for interconnecting the trailer to the towing vehicle,the rigid hitch means including means preventing relative pivotalmovement between the towing vehicle and the trailer about a generallyvertical axis, the rigid hitch means further including means enablingrelative pivotal movement between the towing vehicle and the trailerabout a generally horizontal axis, whereby the trailer can pivotvertically relative to the towing vehicle in uneven terrain; (d) atrailer box supported by the support framework, the trailer box andsupport framework including cooperating mounting means for pivotallyinterconnecting the trailer box proximate a back end thereof toproximate the back end of the support framework for pivotal movementabout a generally horizontal axis between a generally horizontalposition and a generally upright position whereby a floor portion of thetrailer box can be oriented relative to the surface of the ground so asto enable easy removal of material such as grass clippings; and having asurface area substantially all of which is perforated, (e) a flexible,removable cover means having a surface area substantially all of whichis perforated, interconnected to the trailer box for defining anenclosed area above the trailer box, the cover means enabling air flowfrom the enclosed area above the trailer box through the cover means andinto ambient air surrounding the enclosed area, the cover means furtherincluding an inlet means whereby material such as grass clippings can bereceived in the enclosed area above the trailer box from a source ofsuch material, the cover means further including configuration means forpositioning the cover means in a closed configuration and an openconfiguration, wherein the configuration means for positioning the coverbetween the open and closed configurations includes a flap of materialmovable between an open and a closed position, in the open configurationthe cover means is partially removed from a back end portion of theenclosed area above the trailer box, whereby material such as grassclipping can be readily removed from the enclosed area above the trailerbox when the trailer box is pivoted into an upright position.